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Our new video quicktips for photographers series offers advice for anyone who is looking to understand more about the techniques and technology that can help them make better pictures. Each episode is just a few minutes long and looks to explain and offer advice in an easy-to-grasp way. Check back all month long as we add new episodes to this series.

Learning how and when to use different settings and options for image capture is one of the most important parts of becoming a stronger photographer. There’s no setting or camera function that’s going to be perfect for all situations, while is exactly why there are so many options. For example, every DSLR offers a couple variations on Autofocus for either a Single-shot or Continuously tracking autofocus.

Each has it strengths and purposes, and even with that, there’s still times when switching the lens to manual focus is the best way to ensure that your chosen subject and focal point is sharp in the image. In this piece, we’re going to look at three photos of seagulls to briefly explore and explain the reasons why to choose one type of AF or manual focus over the others.

Justin Wojtczak of 375Photography.com created this very cool behind the scenes and how-to video of a trash-the-dress session exclusively with Sigma lenses. All the still shots, as well as all the HDSLR footage of Justin and crew in action were captured with Sigma glass including the 70-200mm F2.8, the 20mm F1.8, and the 85m, 50mm and 30mm F1.4 primes. If the name sounds familiar, it’s because Justin was recently the winner of the FStoppers Behind the Scenes contest!